First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day July 27, 2003 Anno Domini

Matthew 8:28-9:1

Jesus expels demons

  I.  The miserable condition of men in bondage to demons.
 

      A.  Exceedingly fierce men coming out of the tombs.
      B.  Demons enslaves people to death. Heb 2:14-15.
      C. Demons stimulate violence and destruction.
     

   II. The desperate condition of demons confronted by Christ.
    

     A.  Jesus rebuked the wind and waves; now demons hear and
obey his word.
     B.  Demons are not able to resist Christ. Matt 12:28; 1John
3:8; Rev 14:10 & 20:10.
     C.  Go!
    

   III. The confused reactions of men who witness Christ’s grace
and  power.
 

     A.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)
       

Gergesenes (Gadarenes): John 3:19.

     B.  "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the
LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has
sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the
captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
(Isaiah 61:1)
       

Demoniac: Mark 5:19-20.

     C.  Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a
great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of
death Light has dawned."
       

Us: Ephesians 2:1-3.

   IV. Living thoughtfully as witnesses of this incident.
 

     A.  Christ controls even the devils.
     B.  Those who are slaves to the devil are miserable
creatures
     C.  When we try to help the neediest people, we can
anticipate that the world will not like the presence of Christ.
     D.  Let us stir up gratitude in our hearts that Jesus
Christ has freed us from the hold of the devil. Colossians 1:13.
    

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

pastor@reformedprescambridge.com phone: 617.864.3185